Communication device, operating method therefor, and operating program therefor

ABSTRACT

A user can use a plurality of communication devices to sign in to a communication system. A recording message addressed to himself/herself may be recorded in a distributed manner in the plurality of communication devices. One of the communication devices is requested to display a list of incoming call information while signing in to the communication system using user information. The one communication device requests the other communication device to send incoming call information corresponding to the same user information. The incoming call information corresponding to the same user information is transmitted to the communication device in one terminal from the other communication device. In the one communication device, the incoming call information transmitted from the other communication device is received, and list data is generated based on the received incoming call information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a communication device capable of transmitting and receiving video data as well as audio data, an operating method therefor, and an operating program therefor.

(2) Description of Related Art

In a communication system and a data communication method discussed in JP 2010-521856 A, communication is performed between a first terminal and a second terminal via a network. In the communication system, each of the first and second terminals includes a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit. Each of the first and second terminals includes a web camera and a microphone as input devices, and includes a display screen and a loudspeaker as output devices.

For example, in the first terminal, video of a user of the first terminal is input to the web camera, and audio of the user of the first terminal is input to the microphone. In the second terminal, video of a user of the second terminal is input to the web camera, and audio of the user of the second terminal is input to the microphone.

In the transmitting circuit in the first terminal, data based on the video and the audio input to the web camera and the microphone is transmitted to the second terminal via the network. In this case, the data transmitted from the first terminal via the network is received in the receiving circuit in the second terminal, and video and audio based on the received data are output from the display screen and the loudspeaker.

Similarly, in the transmitting circuit in the second terminal, data based on the video and the audio input to the web camera and the microphone is transmitted to the first terminal via the network. In this case, the data transmitted from the second terminal via the network is received in the receiving circuit in the first terminal, and video and audio based on the received data are output from the display screen and the loudspeaker.

Thus, the user of the first terminal can talk with the user of the second terminal while visually recognizing the video of the user of the second terminal. Similarly, the user of the second terminal can talk with the user of the first terminal while visually recognizing the video of the user of the first terminal.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the above-mentioned communication system, the user of the first terminal can use the plurality of communication devices as the first terminal, for example. In this case, the user can participate in a communication event by using one of the plurality of communication devices as the first terminal. After the user finishes participating in the communication event, the same user can participate in the communication event again by using the other communication device as the first terminal.

In the communication system, the first and second terminals can have a message recording function. Even if the user of the first terminal is not close to the first terminal, for example, therefore, the user of the second terminal can transmit a message to the first terminal.

However, JP 2010-521856 A does not refer to inconvenience occurring when a user can use a plurality of communication devices as a first terminal and any one of the plurality of communication devices has a message recording function and means for solving the inconvenience.

An object of the present invention is to provide a communication device enabling inconvenience occurring when the same user uses another device having a message recording function to be solved, an operating method therefor, and an operating program therefor.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a communication device configured to be capable of signing in to a communication system including another device includes a controller configured to be capable of performing a signing in operation using user information that is uniquely given to a user, an instructor configured to issue an instruction to collect identification information for identifying a message recorded by a message recording operation in a signing in state corresponding to the user information, and a communicator configured to transmit a transmission request for requesting to transmit the identification information corresponding to the message recorded by the message recording operation in the signing in state corresponding to the user information in the other device in response to the instruction from the instructor, and receive the identification information transmitted from the other device in response to the transmission request.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for operating a communication device configured to be capable of signing in to a communication system including another device includes the steps of transmitting a transmission request for requesting to transmit identification information corresponding to a message recorded by a message recording operation in a signing in state corresponding to user information that is uniquely given to a user in the other device in response to an instruction to collect identification information for identifying the message recorded by the message recording operation in the signing in state corresponding to the user information, and receiving the identification information transmitted from the other device in response to the transmission request.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, an operation program executable by a processor of a communication device configured to be capable of signing in to a communication system including another device causes the processor to perform processing of transmitting a transmission request for requesting to transmit identification information corresponding to a message recorded by a message recording operation in a signing in state corresponding to user information that is uniquely given to a user in the other device in response to an instruction to collect identification information for identifying the message recorded by the message recording operation in the signing in state corresponding to the user information, and receiving the identification information transmitted from the other device in response to the transmission request.

According to the present invention, inconvenience occurring when the same user uses another device having a message recording function can be solved.

Other features, elements, characteristics, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 illustrates an outline of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a terminal illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a state transition of a communication device;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a start condition of a conversation program;

FIG. 5 illustrates a sign-in screen;

FIG. 6 illustrates a user registration screen;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a contact list screen;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a user setting screen;

FIG. 9 illustrates a message recording setting screen;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of an incoming call screen;

FIG. 11 illustrates another example of an incoming call screen;

FIG. 12 illustrates a conversation screen;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram for illustrating an operation of a plurality of terminals illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of incoming call information respectively recorded on memory cards in the plurality of terminals illustrated in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of an incoming call information list screen;

FIG. 16 illustrates an incoming call information list screen when one of a plurality of history buttons illustrated in FIG. 15 is selected;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a control LSI based on a conversation program according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration and an operation of a control LSI illustrated in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration and an operation of the control LSI illustrated in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention, an operating method therefor, and an operating program therefor will be described with reference to the drawings.

[1] Outline of Communication System

FIG. 1 illustrates an outline of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a terminal 1000A illustrated in FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a network 500, a plurality of (three in this example) terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C, a router 1100, a base station 800, a personal computer 600, a television receiver (hereinafter abbreviated as a television) 700, a mobile phone 900, and a server for conversation 2000.

In an example illustrated in FIG. 1, each of the plurality of terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C is connected to the router 1100 according to the provision of DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) by a wired or wireless local area network. The router 1100 is connected to the server for conversation 2000 via the network 500. Further, the mobile phone 900 is connected to the network 500 via the base station 800. Thus, the plurality of terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C, the personal computer 600, the television 700, and the mobile phone 900 are connected as a plurality of communication terminals to the network 500. The network 500 is the internet in the present embodiment.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, a control LSI (Large-Scale Integrated Circuit) 101 (FIG. 2), described below, is incorporated in each of the plurality of communication terminals (the terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C, the personal computer 600, the television 700, and the mobile phone 900) connected to one another. A conversation program, described below, is recorded as an operation program in a built-in memory 101M (FIG. 2) serving as a recording medium in the control LSI 101 (FIG. 2).

Each of the communication terminals includes a video input unit, an audio input unit, a video output unit, and an audio output unit. The video input unit includes a camera, for example. The audio input unit includes a microphone, for example. The video output unit includes a monitor, for example. The audio output unit includes a speaker, for example.

In the present embodiment, users of the plurality of communication terminals are required to previously register their own unique user information in the server for conversation 2000. The user information includes a user identifier (hereinafter referred to as a user ID) and a password associated with the user ID. The server for conversation 2000 manages a plurality of users by storing a plurality of user information of the plurality of users.

New user information, together with a request to register the user information, is transmitted from any of the communication terminals to the server for conversation 2000 when registered.

The server for conversation 2000 determines whether a user ID of the received user information matches any of user IDs of the plurality of user information that have already been registered while referring to the plurality of user information that have already been stored.

When the user ID of the received user information does not match any of the user IDs of the plurality of user information that have already been registered, the server for conversation 2000 stores the fed user information. On the other hand, when the user ID of the received user information matches any of the user IDs of the plurality of user information that have already been registered, the server for conversation 2000 does not store the received user information. This prevents the plurality of user information including the same user ID from being registered in the server for conversation 2000.

A sign-in request to the communication system 1, together with the user information, is transmitted from the one communication terminal, for example, to the server for conversation 2000. In this case, the server for conversation 2000 determines whether the received user information matches any of the plurality of user information that have been stored. More specifically, the server for conversation 2000 determines whether the user information received from the one communication terminal has already been registered.

When the received user information has already been registered, the server for conversation 2000 determines whether the signing-in using the same user information as the received user information is currently being performed to prevent the plurality of users from signing in to the communication system 1 using the same user information.

When the signing-in using the same user information as the received user information is not performed, the server for conversation 2000 permits the user to sign in to the communication system 1. On the other hand, when the user information received from the one communication terminal is not registered and when the signing-in using the same user information as the received user information is currently being performed, the server for conversation 2000 does not permit the user to sign in to the communication system 1.

The user signs in to the communication system 1 so that an address (e.g., an internet protocol address) of the communication terminal is transmitted from the communication terminal used by the user to the server for conversation 2000. A request to continue the signing-in is transmitted from the communication terminal to the server for conversation 2000 in a predetermined period.

Thus, the user who is currently signing in to the communication system 1 and the address of the communication terminal used by the user who signs in to the communication system 1 are managed in the server for conversation 2000.

The user signs in to the communication system 1 using the one communication terminal so that a request signal for requesting a conversation with the other user, together with a user ID of the other user, can be transmitted to the server for conversation 2000. In this case, the server for conversation 2000 determines whether the other user has signed in to the communication system 1 based on the received user ID.

When the other user has signed in to the communication system 1, the server for conversation 2000 transmits the address of the communication terminal used by the other user to the one communication terminal. Thus, the one communication terminal accesses the other communication terminal using the received address. This enables various types of data including video data and audio data to be communicated between the one communication terminal and the other communication terminal.

On the other hand, when the other user has not signed in to the communication system 1, the server for conversation 2000 transmits information indicating that the other user has not signed in to the one communication terminal. In this case, information indicating that a conversation with the other user is not possible is presented to the user with a monitor or a speaker in the one communication terminal.

In addition to the foregoing, the user can accept an access from the other communication terminal by signing in to the communication system 1 using the one communication terminal.

Communication of the video data based on video of each of the users captured by the camera and the audio data based on audio of each of the users input to the microphone is performed among the plurality of communication terminals. This allows the user of each of the communication terminals to talk with the user of the other communication terminal.

A configuration of the terminal 1000A in FIG. 1 will be described below. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the terminal 1000A includes a communication device 100, a camera/microphone device 200, a television 300, and two remote controllers 400 and 490.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the communication device 100 includes the control LSI 101, a network interface 103, a wireless receiver 104, a universal serial bus (hereinafter referred to as a USB) interface 105, a power supplier 106, a high-definition multimedia interface (hereinafter referred to as an HDMI) 107, an optical disk drive 108, a memory slot 109, a fluorescent display tube (hereinafter referred to as an FL display) 191, a light emitting diode unit (hereinafter referred to as an LED unit) 192, a buzzer 193, and a flash memory 112. A memory card 110 is inserted into the memory slot 109.

The control LSI 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory 101M, and is implemented by an integrated circuit using semiconductors. As described above, a conversation program, described below, together with a system program for the communication device 100, is stored in the memory 101M of the control LSI 101. The CPU executes each program stored in the memory 101M so that the control LSI 101 performs various types of processing. The control LSI 101 controls an operation of each of constituent elements in the communication device 100 while controlling communication with the other communication terminals (the terminals 1000B and 1000C, the personal computer 600, the television 700, the mobile phone 900, etc. illustrated in FIG. 1). A detailed configuration of the control LSI 101 will be described below.

The network interface 103 is connected to the network 500 via the network cable (e.g., a local area network cable) and the router 1100. The network interface 103 causes various types of data including the video data and the audio data to be fed from the network 500 to the control LSI 101 in the communication device 100. Various types of data including the video data and the audio data are also fed from the control LSI 101 in the communication device 100 to the network 500.

The remote controller 400 transmits an operation signal, described below, to the communication device 100 by wireless communication (e.g., infrared communication), as described below. The wireless receiver 104 receives the operation signal wirelessly transmitted from the remote controller 400. The operation signal, which has been received by the wireless receiver 104, is fed to the control LSI 101.

The USB interface 105 is connected to the camera/microphone device 200 via a USB cable. The power supplier 106 includes a power supply circuit for converting alternating current (AC) power to direct current (DC) power. A power supply plug is connected to the power supply circuit. The power supply plug is connectable to a household electrical outlet. The power supplier 106 supplies electric power obtained from the household electrical outlet to each of the constituent elements in the communication device 100. The HDMI 107 is connected to the television 300 via an HDMI cable. The optical disk drive 108 reads and writes data to and from an optical disk.

The memory slot 109 is configured so that the memory card 110 can be inserted thereinto and ejected therefrom. With the memory card 110 inserted into the memory slot 109, the control LSI 101 can read out data stored in the memory card 110. The control LSI 101 can write data into the memory card 110.

The flash memory 112 is connected to the control LSI 101. The flash memory 112 may be replaced with another nonvolatile memory. The flash memory 112 stores the user information of the user who uses the terminal 1000A and a list of user IDs of the other users (hereinafter referred to as a contact list), for example. The flash memory 112 stores, when the user cannot accept accesses from the other communication terminals, data (e.g., video data and audio data for notifying that the user is absent) that is to be fed to the other communication terminals in response to the accesses from the other communication terminals.

The communication device 100 has a box-shaped casing, for example. The control LSI 101, the network interface 103, the wireless receiver 104, the USB interface 105, the power supplier 106, the HDMI 107, the optical disk drive 108, and the memory slot 109 are accommodated in the casing. The FL display 191, the LED unit 192, and the buzzer 193 are attached to the casing.

The FL display 191 is composed of a fluorescent display tube of seven segments or a fluorescent display tube of fourteen segments, for example. Information representing current time, reproduction time of the optical disk, and so on are fed from the control LSI 101 to the FL display 191. The FL display 191 displays the fed information.

The LED unit 192 generates monochromatic light. Information representing lighting or non-lighting is fed from the control LSI 101 to the LED unit 192. The LED unit 192 lights up, goes out, or flashes based on the information fed from the control LSI 101.

Information for instructing the buzzer 193 to generate an alarm is fed from the control LSI 101. In this case, the buzzer 193 generates an alarm sound based on the information fed from the control LSI 101.

The remote controller 400 includes an operation unit 401, a processing circuit 402, and a wireless transmitter 403. The operation unit 401 includes a power supply button 411, a conversation start button 412, a conversation response button 413, a cross key 414, and a determination button 415 illustrated in FIG. 1, and a plurality of number buttons (not illustrated). The cross key 414 includes an upper button, a lower button, a left button, and a right button. The user operates any of the buttons in the operation unit 401. The processing circuit 402 generates an operation signal according to the operated button. The generated operation signal is transmitted from the wireless transmitter 403 to the wireless receiver 104 in the communication device 100. As described above, wireless communication between the communication device 100 and the remote controller 400 is implemented by infrared communication, for example.

The camera/microphone device 200 includes a camera 201, a microphone 202, two analog/digital (hereinafter referred to as A/D) converters 203 and 204, and a USB interface 205. The USB interface 205 in the camera/microphone device 200 is connected to the USB interface 105 in the communication device 100 via the USB cable.

The camera 201 includes an image sensor. The image sensor acquires video of an object. In the camera 201, a video signal in an analog format is generated based on the acquired video. The A/D converter 203 converts the generated video signal to video data in a digital format. The video data in a digital format is fed to the control LSI 101 in the communication device 100 via the USB interface 205, the USB cable, and the USB interface 105.

Audio (a sound wave) is input to the microphone 202 from outside. In the microphone 202, an audio signal in an analog format is generated based on the input audio. The A/D converter 204 converts the generated audio signal to audio data in a digital format. The audio data in a digital format is fed to the control LSI 101 in the communication device 100 via the USB interface 205, the USB cable, and the USB interface 105.

The camera/microphone device 200 is used to acquire video and audio of the user, for example, in the present embodiment.

As described above, the camera/microphone device 200 includes the camera 201 and the microphone 202. The camera 201 and the microphone 202 may individually be connected to the communication device 100 instead of the camera/microphone device 200 being connected to the communication device 100.

The camera/microphone device 200 may include an HDMI. In this case, the HDMI in the camera/microphone device 200 is connected to the communication device 100 via an HDMI cable. The camera/microphone device 200 may include a wireless transmitter. In this case, video data and audio data are fed from the wireless transmitter in the camera/microphone device 200 to the wireless receiver 104 in the communication device 100.

The television 300 includes a monitor 301, a speaker 302, digital/analog (hereinafter referred to as D/A) converters 303 and 304, an HDMI 305, a wireless receiver 306, an audio volume adjuster 310, and a tuner 320. The HDMI 305 in the television 300 is connected to the HDMI 107 in the communication device 100 via the HDMI cable in the present embodiment.

The video data and the audio data in a digital format are fed from the control LSI 101 in the communication device 100 to the television 300 via the HDMI 107, the HDMI cable, and the HDMI 305. The D/A converter 303 converts the video data fed to the television 300 to a video signal in an analog format. The video signal in an analog format is fed to the monitor 301. Thus, video is displayed on the monitor 301.

On the other hand, the D/A converter 304 converts the audio data fed to the television 300 to an audio signal in an analog format. The audio signal in an analog format is fed to the audio volume adjuster 310.

An operation signal for adjusting the level of the audio signal, for example, is input from the remote controller 490, described below, to the audio volume adjuster 310. Thus, the audio volume adjuster 310 adjusts the level of the audio signal based on the operation signal fed from the remote controller 490. The adjusted audio signal is fed to the speaker 302, and audio based on the audio signal is output.

The tuner 320 receives, selects, demodulates, and decodes a broadcast signal for a program to be broadcast or distributed, to generate video data and audio data, and feeds the generated video data and audio data to the D/A converter 303 and the D/A converter 304, respectively. Thus, video of the program is displayed on the monitor 301, and audio of the program is output from the speaker 302.

As described above, the communication device 100 and the television 300 are connected to each other via the HDMI 107, the HDMI cable, and the HDMI 305. In this case, the communication device 100 can feed a control signal for controlling an operation of the television 300 to the television 300.

The monitor 301 and the speaker 302 may individually be connected to the communication device 100 instead of the television 300 being connected to the communication device 100.

The remote controller 490 includes an operation unit 491, a processing circuit 492, and a wireless transmitter 493. The operation unit 491 includes a power supply button 481 and audio volume adjustment buttons 484 a and 484 b illustrated in FIG. 1. The user operates any of the buttons in the operation unit 491. The processing circuit 492 generates an operation signal according to the operated button.

The power supply button 481 is operated so that an operation signal for turning on power to the television 300 is generated. The audio volume adjustment button 484 a is operated so that an operation signal for increasing the level of the audio signal is generated. The audio volume adjustment button 484 b is operated so that an operation signal for decreasing the level of the audio signal is generated.

The generated operation signal is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless transmitter 493 to the wireless receiver 306 in the television 300. Wireless communication between the television 300 and the remote controller 490 is implemented by infrared communication, for example.

In the terminal 1000A, the video data and the audio data are fed from the camera/microphone device 200 to the communication device 100, for example. In the communication device 100, the fed video data is encoded, and the fed audio data is encoded. During a conversation operation in the terminal 1000A, described below, the communication device 100 transmits the encoded video data and audio data to the other communication terminals (the terminals 1000B and 1000C, the personal computer 600, the television 700, and the mobile phone 900) connected to the network 500.

The user signs in to the communication system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 so that the communication device 100 receives video data and audio data transmitted from the other communication terminals connected to the network 500 in the terminal 1000A. In the communication device 100, the received video data and audio data are decoded. During the conversation operation in the terminal 1000A, described below, the communication device 100 feeds the decoded video data and audio data to the television 300. In the television 300, the video data in a digital format is converted to the video signal in an analog format, and the video based on the video signal after the conversion is displayed on the monitor 301. The audio data in a digital format is converted to the audio signal in an analog format, and the audio based on the audio signal after the conversion is output from the speaker 302.

This causes communication of the video data and the audio data to be performed between the terminal 1000A and the other communication terminals, as described above. Similarly to the terminal 1000A, each of the plurality of communication terminals connected to the network 500 includes a camera, a microphone, a monitor, and a speaker. This enables the user who uses the terminal 1000A to talk with users who use the other communication terminals.

In the communication device 100 in the terminal 1000A, the video data and the audio data, which have been read from the optical disk by the optical disk drive 108, for example, are fed to the television 300. In the television 300, the video data in a digital format is converted to a video signal in an analog format, and video based on the video signal after the conversion is displayed on the monitor 301. The audio data in a digital format is converted to an audio signal in an analog format, and audio based on the audio signal after the conversion is output from the speaker 302.

Furthermore, video data and audio data, which have been received from the network 500, for example, are written into the memory card 110 in the communication device 100 in the terminal 1000A. A recording message (a message recording message) received from the other communication terminals by incoming call information and a message recording function is written into the memory card 110. The incoming call information is information generated when the conversation request is received from the other communication terminal, and includes identification information for identifying a recording message. The recording message is video data and audio data received from the other communication terminal during a message recording operation, described below. Details of the incoming call information and the recording message will be described below.

Each of the terminals 1000B and 1000C illustrated in FIG. 1 has a similar configuration to that of the terminal 1000A illustrated in FIG. 2. In the present embodiment, the user can use each of the terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C illustrated in FIG. 1. If the plurality of terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C are respectively arranged in a plurality of rooms, for example, the user can sign in to the communication system 1 using the terminal arranged in the room used by himself/herself. More specifically, the user can sign in to the communication system 1 using the terminal 1000A if he/she uses the room where the terminal 1000A is arranged. The user can sign in to the communication system 1 using the terminal 1000B if he/she uses the room where the terminal 1000B is arranged. Similarly, the user can sign in to the communication system 1 using the terminal 1000C if he/she uses the room where the terminal 1000C is arranged.

In this example, the server for conversation 2000 does not permit the user to sign in to the communication system 1 if the signing-in using the same user information as the user information, which is received together with a sign-in request, is currently being performed. If the user signs in to the communication system 1 using any one of the terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C (e.g., the terminal 1000A), therefore, the user cannot sign in to the communication system 1 using the other terminals (e.g., the terminal 1000B and 1000C) with user information of the same user.

[2] State Transition of Communication Device 100

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a state transition of the communication device 100. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the communication device 100 transits among at least three states. The three states include a power-off state, a standby state, and a power-on state.

The power-off state means a state where supply of electric power from the power supplier 106 to the control LSI 101 and the other constituent element in the communication device 100. If the power supply plug in the power supplier 106 is disconnected from the household electrical outlet, for example, the communication device 100 is in the power-off state. When the power supply plug in the power supplier 106 is connected to the household electrical outlet in the power-off state, the communication device 100 transits from the power-off state to the standby state, as indicated by an arrow a.

The standby state means a state where electric power is supplied to a control functional unit in the communication device 100 and electric power is not supplied to a main functional unit in the communication device 100. In the standby state, the main functional unit in the communication device 100 is stopped. In the present embodiment, the main functional unit is the optical disk drive 108, and has a function of recording and reproducing video data and audio data. The control functional unit includes the control LSI 101, the wireless receiver 104, the FL display 191, the LED unit 192, and the buzzer 193. In the standby state in the present embodiment, electric power is supplied from the power supplier 106 to at least the control LSI 101, the wireless receiver 104, the FL display 191, the LED unit 192, and the buzzer 193, and the function of the optical disk drive 108 is stopped. In this case, at least a part of the conversation program is executable. When the power supply button 411 in the remote controller 400 is operated in the standby state, the communication device 100 transits from the standby state to the power-on state, as indicated by an arrow c.

The power-on state means a state where electric power is supplied to the control functional unit and the main functional unit in the communication device 100. In the power-on state in the present embodiment, electric power is supplied from the power supplier 106 to the control LSI 101, the wireless receiver 104, the optical disk drive 108, the FL display 191, the LED unit 192, and the buzzer 193. In this case, the conversation program is being executed. When the power supply button 411 in the remote controller 400 is operated in the power-on state, the communication device 100 transits from the power-on state to the standby state, as indicated by an arrow d. When the power supply plug in the power supplier 106 is disconnected from the household electrical outlet in the power-on state, the communication device 100 transits from the power-on state to the power-off state, as indicated by an arrow e.

[3] Start Condition of Conversation Program

A start condition of the conversation program is set by a user's operation. The setting by the user's operation (hereinafter referred to as user setting) includes setting of automatic signing-in and setting of incoming call permission at standby time.

The user can set the automatic signing-in to “YES” or “NO” in the user setting. If the automatic signing-in is set to “YES”, the signing-in is automatically performed.

If the automatic signing-in is set to “YES”, the user can set the incoming call permission at standby time to “YES” or “NO”. When the incoming call permission at standby time is set to “YES”, an incoming call operation is also performed when the communication device is in the standby state. The incoming call operation is an operation for receiving a conversation request transmitted from the other communication terminal and announcing receiving of the conversation request to the user.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the start condition of the conversation program. In FIG. 4, “o” indicates that the conversation program is running, and “x” indicates that the conversation program is not running.

If the automatic signing-in is set to “YES”, and the incoming call permission at standby time is set to “NO”, the control LSI 101 starts the conversation program at the time of transition from the standby state to the power-on state. Then, the control LSI 101 communicates with the server for conversation 2000 using user information in which the automatic signing-in is set to “YES”.

If the automatic signing-in is set to “YES”, and the incoming call permission at standby time is set to “YES”, the control LSI 101 starts the conversation program at the time of transition from the power-off state to the standby state. Then, the control LSI 101 communicates with the server for conversation 200 using user information in which the automatic signing-in is set to “YES”.

If the automatic signing-in is set to “NO”, the control LSI 101 starts the conversation program when the user operates the conversation start button 412 in the power-on state.

[4] Outline of Operation in Terminal 1000A by User

(a) Signing-In

In the following description, the video signal is fed from the communication device 100 at the terminal 1000A to the monitor 301 in the television 300 at the terminal 1000A via the D/A converter 303. The monitor 301 in the television 300 at the terminal 1000A displays video based on the fed video signal. The audio signal is fed from the communication device 100 to the speaker 302 in the television 300 at the terminal 1000A via the D/A converter 304. The speaker 302 in the television 300 at the terminal 1000A outputs audio based on the fed audio signal.

An outline of the operation in the terminal 1000A by the user, together with the video to be displayed on the monitor 301 in the television 300, will be described.

When one user signs in to the communication system 1 using the terminal 1000A, the one user operates the conversation start button 412 illustrated in FIG. 1, for example. Thus, an operation signal indicating that the conversation program is to be executed is fed from the remote controller 400 to the communication device 100. The conversation program is executed so that a sign-in screen is displayed on the monitor 301 in the television 300.

FIG. 5 illustrates the sign-in screen. As illustrated in FIG. 5, an input frame f1 for a user ID, an input frame f2 for a password, a sign-in button b1, and a new user registration button b2 are displayed on a sign-in screen SC1. The user can select the input frames f1 and f2, the sign-in button b1, and the new user registration button b2 by operating the cross key 414 in the remote controller 400 illustrated in FIG. 1. The user can input characters in the input frames f1 and f2 using the plurality of number buttons (not illustrated) in the remote controller 400 illustrated in FIG. 1.

After inputting a user ID and a password in the respective input frames f1 and f2, the user selects the sign-in button b1 and operates the determination button 415 in the remote controller 400 illustrated in FIG. 1. Thus, signing-in to the communication system 1 is performed.

A check box c1 for selecting “automatically sign in next time” for setting automatic signing-in and a check box c2 for selecting “accept incoming call at standby time” are displayed on the sign-in screen SC1.

When the signing-in is performed with the check box c1 selected, the control LSI 101 associates information indicating that the automatic signing-in is “YES” with the user ID input to the input frame f1, and stores the information in the flash memory 112. Thus, the automatic signing-in is set to “YES”.

When the signing-in is performed with the check box c2 selected, the control LSI 101 associates information indicating that the incoming call permission at standby time is “YES” with the user ID input to the input frame f1, and stores the information in the flash memory 112. Thus, the incoming call permission at standby time is set to “YES”. Thus, the incoming call operation is also performed when the communication device 100 is in the standby state.

If the user does not select the check box c1, the sign-in screen SC1 is configured so that the check box c2 cannot be selected.

In the present embodiment, the automatic signing-in is settable to “YES” for only the one user ID. Thus, processing of the control LSI 101 is prevented from being complicated.

(b) User Registration

The user selects the new user registration button b2 in the sign-in screen SC1 and operates the determination button 415 in the remote controller 400 illustrated in FIG. 1 when registering user information in the server for conversation 2000. In this case, a user registration screen is displayed on the monitor 301 in the television 300.

FIG. 6 illustrates the user registration screen. As illustrated in FIG. 6, an input frame f3 for a user name, the input frame f1 for a user ID, an input frame f2 for a password, and a registration button b3 are displayed on the user registration screen SC2. The user can select the input frames f1, f2, and f3 and the registration button b3 by operating the cross key 414 in the remote controller 400 illustrated in FIG. 1. After inputting the user ID, the password, and the name in the respective input frames f1, f2, and f3, the user selects the registration button b3, and operates the determination button 415 in the remote controller 400 illustrated in FIG. 1. Thus, the user information is registered in the server for conversation 2000.

The signing-in to the communication system 1 is performed so that a contact list screen is displayed on the monitor 301 in the television 300.

(c) Contact List

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of the contact list screen. A contact list screen SC3 includes a tub Tb on the left side and a main body portion Bd on the right side. The tab Tb includes a plurality of large items. The plurality of large items include “set”, “account”, “online”, and “contact list”. The user can select processing to be performed in the conversation program from the large items in the tub Tb using the cross key 414 and the determination button 415 in the remote controller 400.

As described above, the contact list is stored in the flash memory 112 in the communication device 100 illustrated in FIG. 2. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a contact list button b4 for displaying the contact list stored in the flash memory 112 is displayed on the tab Tb in the contact list screen SC3. In this state, the user selects the contact list button b4, and operates the determination button 415 in the remote controller 400 illustrated in FIG. 1. In this case, the contact list is displayed in the main body portion Bd on the contact list screen SC3.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, a plurality of user ID buttons b5 associated with a plurality of user IDs, respectively, stored in the flash memory 112 in the communication device 100, for example, are displayed in the main body portion Bd on the contact list screen SC3. The user selects any of the plurality of user ID buttons b5, and operates the determination button 415 in the remote controller 400 illustrated in FIG. 1.

Thus, the selected user ID, together with a request signal, is transmitted to the server for conversation 2000. When the signing-in to the communication system 1 using the selected user ID has already been performed, the communication device 100 in the terminal 1000A acquires an address of the other communication terminal used for the signing-in using the user ID from the server for conversation 2000.

Thereafter, a conversation request for requesting a conversation (a conversation request signal) is transmitted from the communication device 100 in the terminal 1000A to the other communication terminal using the acquired address. The communication device 100 receives a response signal from the other communication terminal so that a conversation screen, described below, is displayed on the monitor 301 in the television 300.

(d) User Setting

In the tub Tb in the contact list screen SC3 illustrated in FIG. 7, the user selects the setting button b11, and operates the determination button 415 in the remote controller 400 illustrated in FIG. 1. In this case, a user setting screen is displayed on the monitor 301 in the television 300.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of the user setting screen. A user setting screen SC4 includes a tab Tb on the left side and a main body portion Bd on the right side. The tab Tb includes a plurality of large items, similarly to that in the contact list screen SC3 illustrated in FIG. 7. Middle items “video”, “sound”, “conversation”, “message recording”, “security”, “communication”, and “high level setting” included in the large item “setting” are displayed in the main body portion Bd.

When the user selects a high level setting button b12, a small item (not illustrated) is displayed in the main body portion Bd. The small item includes “automatic signing-in” and “incoming call permission at standby time”. The user can set the automatic signing-in to “YES” or “NO” depending on “automatic signing-in” in the small item. The user can set the incoming call permission at standby time to “YES” or “NO” depending on “incoming call permission at standby time” in the small item. The incoming call permission at standby time is set to “YES” so that an incoming call operation can also be performed when the communication device 100 is in the standby state.

When the user selects a message recording button b13, a message recording setting screen is displayed on the monitor 301 in the television 300. FIG. 9 illustrates the message recording setting screen. A message recording setting screen SC5 includes a tab Tb on the left side and a main body portion Bd on the right side. The tab Tb includes a plurality of large items, similarly to that in the contact list screen SC3 illustrated in FIG. 7. As illustrated in FIG. 9, as small items included in the middle item “message recording” illustrated in FIG. 8, “return to setting”, “message recording”, “time to switching from incoming call to message recording”, and “response message setting” are displayed in the main body portion Bd.

“Return to setting” is an item for returning to the user setting screen SC4 illustrated in FIG. 8. “Message recording” is an item for switching ON and OFF of the message recording function. If the user selects “use”, the message recording function is set to ON. If the user selects “not use”, the message recording function is set to OFF. “Time to switching from incoming call to message recording” is an item for setting a period of time elapsed since the communication device 100 received an incoming call until it transits to a message recording operation. The user can select “immediately after incoming call”, “5 seconds”, or “15 seconds”, for example, as “time to switching from incoming call to message recording”.

“Response message setting” is an item for setting a response message to be transmitted to the other communication terminal using the message recording function when the communication device 100 receives an incoming call from the other communication terminal. The user can set a response message by selecting this item. In this case, the control LSI 101 can record both video data and audio data or only audio data corresponding to video and audio acquired by the camera/microphone device 200 as a response message on the memory card 110.

(e) Incoming Call Screen

If the communication device 100 is in the power-on state or if the communication device 100 is in the standby state and the incoming call permission at standby time is set to “YES”, the conversation program is started, as illustrated in FIG. 4. In this case, when a conversation request is received from the communication terminal of the other user, an incoming call screen is displayed on the monitor 301 in the television 300.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of the incoming call screen. FIG. 11 illustrates another example of the incoming call screen. As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, a video response button b6, a voice response button b7, a message recording response button b8, and a rejection response button b9, for example, are displayed on an incoming call screen SC6. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, landscape video SS is further displayed on the incoming call screen SC6. In the example illustrated in FIG. 11, landscape video is not displayed on the incoming call screen SC6.

When the conversation request is received from the communication terminal of the other user, the buzzer 193 illustrated in FIG. 2 generates a ringtone while the LED unit 192 lights up or flashes. Information (e.g., a name or a user ID) for specifying the other user is displayed on the FL display 191. Thus, the user of the communication device 100 can recognize an incoming call.

The user can select the video response button b6 in the incoming call screen SC6 illustrated in FIG. 10 or 11, and operate the determination button 415 in the remote controller 400 illustrated in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the user can operate the conversation response button 413 in the remote controller 400 illustrated in FIG. 1. In this case, a response signal is transmitted from the communication device 100 in the terminal 1000A to the communication terminal of the other user. Then, a conversation request is transmitted from the communication device 100 to the other communication terminal. The communication device 100 receives a response signal from the other communication terminal so that a conversation screen SC7 illustrated in FIG. 12, described below, is displayed on the monitor 301 in the television 300. In this case, the user can talk with the user of the other communication terminal while seeing video.

The user can select the voice response button b7 in the incoming call screen SC6, and operate the determination button 415 in the remote controller 400 illustrated in FIG. 1. Thus, a response signal is transmitted from the communication device 100 in the terminal 1000A to the communication terminal of the other user. Then, a conversation request is transmitted from the communication device 100 in the terminal 1000A to the other communication terminal. The communication device 100 receives a response signal from the other communication terminal so that the user can talk with the user of the other communication terminal while a conversation partner display window W1 and a self-display window W2 on a conversation screen SC7 illustrated in FIG. 12, described below, are not displayed on the monitor 301 in the television 300.

Further, the user can select the message recording response button b8 in the incoming call screen SC6, and operate the determination button 415 in the remote controller 400 illustrated in FIG. 1. In this case, a message recording operation, described below, is performed in the communication device 100 in the terminal 1000A.

The user can select the rejection response button b9 in the incoming call screen SC6, and operate the determination button 415 in the remote controller 400 illustrated in FIG. 1. In this case, a rejection message for rejecting a conversation is transmitted from the communication device 100 in the terminal 1000A to the communication terminal of the other user.

A case where the message recording function is set by the message recording setting screen SC5 illustrated in FIG. 9 will be described. If the conversation program is started, a message recording operation, described below, is performed according to a content of the message recording setting set by the message recording setting screen SC5 illustrated in FIG. 9.

Suppose a case where the small item “message recording” illustrated in FIG. 9 is set to ON, and the small item “time to switching from incoming call to message recording” illustrated in FIG. 9 is set to “immediately after incoming call”. In this case, a message recording operation, described below, is performed at the same time that a conversation request from the other communication terminal is received.

Suppose a case where the small item “message recording” illustrated in FIG. 9 is set to ON, and the small item “time to switching from incoming call to message recording” illustrated in FIG. 9 is set to “5 minutes”. In this case, a state where any of the buttons in the incoming call screen SC6 is not operated is maintained for five seconds from the time point where the conversation request from the other communication terminal has been received so that a message recording operation, described below, is performed.

Further, suppose a case where the small item “message recording” illustrated in FIG. 9 is set to ON, and the small item “time to switching from incoming call to message recording” illustrated in FIG. 9 is set to “15 seconds”. In this case, a state where any of the buttons in the incoming call screen SC6 is not operated is maintained for 15 seconds from the time point where the conversation request from the other communication terminal has been received so that a message recording operation, described below, is performed.

The message recording operation is performed, as described above, so that a set response message is transmitted to the communication terminal of the other user in the communication device 100. If a recording message (a message recording message) is received from the other communication terminal, the received recording message is recorded on the memory card 110.

If the small item “message recording” illustrated in FIG. 9 is set to OFF, and the message recording response button b8 is not operated, the message recording operation is not performed when the conversation request is received.

(f) Conversation Screen

FIG. 12 illustrates a conversation screen. As illustrated in FIG. 12, a conversation partner display window W1 and a self-display window W2 are displayed on the conversation screen SC7. Video of the other user captured by a camera in the other communication terminal is displayed on the conversation partner display window W1. The video of the user captured by the camera 201 in the camera/microphone device 200 is displayed on the self-display window W2. The audio of the user of the terminal 1000A is input to the microphone 202 in the camera/microphone device 200. Audio of the other user input to a microphone in the other communication terminal is output from the speaker 302 in the television 300.

If the conversation screen SC7 is displayed on the monitor 301 in the television 300 in the terminal 1000A, the conversation screen SC7 is also displayed on the monitor in the communication terminal of the other user. The video of the user of the terminal 1000A and the video of the user of the other communication terminal are displayed on the monitor in the communication terminal of the other user. The audio of the other user is input to the microphone in the other communication terminal. The audio of the user of the terminal 1000A is output from the speaker in the other communication terminal.

(g) List of Incoming Call Information

As described above, each of the terminals 1000B and 1000C has a similar configuration to that of the terminal 1000A. The terminals 1000B and 1000C are operated by a user, similarly to the terminal 1000A.

When a user signs in to the communication system 1 using the terminal 1000A, a recording message (a message recording message) received from the other communication terminal using the message recording function is written into the memory card 110 in the terminal 1000A. When the user signs in to the communication system 1 using the terminal 1000B, a recording message received from the other communication terminal using the message recording function is written into the memory card 110 in the terminal 1000B. Further, when the user signs in to the communication system 1 using the terminal 1000C, a recording message received from the other communication terminal using the message recording function is written into the memory card 110 in the terminal 1000C.

When a user confirms the presence or absence of a recording message addressed to himself/herself, for example, therefore, the user is required to confirm for each of the plurality of terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C whether there is a recording message addressed to himself/herself in the memory card 110 in the terminal. In this case, work for confirming the recording message becomes complicated.

In the present embodiment, if a user confirms the presence or absence of a recording message addressed to himself/herself using the terminal 1000A, for example, incoming call information corresponding to the user and the recording message addressed to the user are transmitted to the terminal 1000A from each of the other terminals 1000B and 1000C based on a conversation program. Thus, the user can easily acquire the recording message addressed to himself/herself by using the terminal 1000A from each of the other terminals 1000B and 1000C. Similarly, the user can easily acquire the recording message addressed to himself/herself by using the terminal 1000B from each of the other terminals 1000A and 1000C. Similarly, the user can easily acquire the recording message addressed to himself/herself by using the terminal 1000C from each of the other terminals 1000A and 1000B. Details of the above-mentioned operation based on the conversation program will be described below.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram for illustrating operations of the plurality of terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C illustrated in FIG. 1. As described above, the plurality of terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C are connected to the router 1100. The router 1100 is connected to the server for conversation 2000 via the network 500.

In FIG. 13, only main ones, described below, of constituent elements in each of the terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C are illustrated, and illustration of the other constituent elements is omitted. For example, a communication device 100, a memory card 110, and a remote controller 400 are illustrated as the constituent elements in the terminal 1000A in FIG. 13. A control LSI 101, a network interface 103, a wireless receiver 104, a memory slot 109, and a flash memory 112 are illustrated as constituent elements in the communication device 100. The control LSI 101 includes a memory 101M. The constituent elements in each of the terminals 1000B and 1000C are illustrated, similarly to those in the terminal 1000A.

In the present embodiment, the communication device 100 in one of the plurality of terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C is an example of a communication device, and the communication devices 100 in the others of the plurality of terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C are examples of other devices. If the communication device 100 in the terminal 1000A functions as a communication device, for example, the communication devices 100 in the other terminals 1000B and 1000C function as other devices.

The communication devices 100 in the plurality of terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C illustrated in FIG. 13 are respectively assigned their inherent terminal identification information (e.g., terminal identification numbers). In the communication device 100 in each of the terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C, the assigned terminal identification information is stored in the flash memory 112.

The communication device 100 in each of the terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C transmits the terminal identification information to the communication devices 100 in the other terminals as an annunciation signal when it transits from the power-off state to the power-on state in the state of being connected to the router 1100. Similarly, the communication device 100 transmits the annunciation signal to the communication devices 100 in the other terminals when connected to the router 1100 in the power-on state from the state of not being connected to the router 1100. Similarly, the communication device 100 transmits the annunciation signal to the communication device 100 in the other terminal when connected to the router 1100 in the standby state from the state of not being connected to the router 1100.

The communication device 100 in each of the terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C performs an operation for transmitting the annunciation signal once, and then transmits the annunciation signal to the communication device 100 in the other terminal every time a predetermined period of time has elapsed when maintained in the state of being connected to the router 1100 and in the power-on state or the standby state.

When the annunciation signal is received in each of the terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C, the terminal identification information is stored in the flash memory 112 in the communication device 100. If the annunciation signal from one of the terminals is not received over a predetermined period of time, the terminal identification information assigned to the communication device 100 in the one terminal is erased from the flash memory 112. Thus, in the communication device 100 in each of the terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C, the communication device 100 in the other terminal, which is currently connected to the router 1100 in the power-on state or the standby state, is identified.

In the communication device 100 in each of the terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C, every time signing-in to the communication system 1 is performed using new user information, the new user information is stored in the flash memory 112 in the communication device 100 (see FIG. 2). Thus, the user information stored in the flash memory 112 is used as a user list in the terminal.

In the communication device 100 in each of the terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C, if a conversation request is received from the other communication terminal while the user signs in to the communication system 1 using his/her own user information, incoming call information including at least the time when the conversation request is received is generated, and the generated incoming call information is recorded on the memory card 110 while being associated with the user information of the user.

FIGS. 14 (a), 14 (b), and 14 (c) respectively illustrate examples of incoming call information recorded on the memory card 110 in each of the plurality of terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C illustrated in FIG. 13. In this example, each of the plurality of terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C illustrated in FIG. 13 is used by any one of four users respectively having user IDs “hanako”, “taro”, “papa”, and “mama”.

In the following description, the user with the user ID “hanako”, the user with the user ID “taro”, the user with the user ID “papa”, and the user with the user ID “mama” are respectively abbreviated as “hanako”, “taro”, “papa”, and “mama”, as needed.

A user with a user ID “AAAA”, a user with a user ID “BBBB”, a user with a user ID “CCCC”, and a user with a user ID “EEEE” are respectively abbreviated as “AAAA”, “BBBB”, “CCCC”, and “EEEE”, as needed.

If “hanako”, “taro”, “papa”, and “mama” use the terminal 1000A, incoming call information respectively corresponding to user information of the four users are recorded on the memory card 110 in the terminal 1000A (FIG. 13), as illustrated in FIG. 14 (a).

FIG. 14 (a) illustrates a specific example of a plurality of (three in this example) incoming call information corresponding to the user ID “hanako”. As illustrated in FIG. 14 (a), each of the incoming call information includes “state”, “time”, “caller”, “message recording”, and “message recording file name” in this example. “State” includes one of “conversation” indicating that a user has responded to a conversation request and “absence incoming call” indicating that the user has not responded to the conversation request. “Time” represents a date and a time on which the conversation request has been received. “Caller” represents a user ID of a person who transmits the conversation request. “Message recording” includes one of “YES” indicating that a recording message (a message recording message) is recorded on the memory card 110 (FIG. 2) and “NO” indicating that the recording message is not recorded on the memory card 110. “Message recording file name” represents a file name of the recording message recorded on the memory card 110. In this case, the recording message can be identified from “time”, “caller”, and “message recording file name” in the incoming call information. In the present exemplary embodiment, “time”, “caller”, and “message recording file name” in the incoming call information are examples of identification information. At least one of “time”, “caller”, and “message recording file name” is used as the identification information.

The incoming call information in the upper stage of FIG. 14 (a) indicates that a conversation request is transmitted from “AAAA” to “hanako” on “Monday, Dec. 13, 2010 at 10:25” while “hanako” has responded to the conversation request.

The incoming call information in the middle stage of FIG. 14 (a) indicates that a conversation request is transmitted from “BBBB” to “hanako” on “Monday, Dec. 13, 2010 at 15:10” while “hanako” has not responded to the conversation request. In addition, the incoming call information indicates that a recording message to “hanako” from “BBBB” has been recorded on the memory card 110, and a file name of the recording message is “aaa”.

Further, the incoming call information in the lower stage of FIG. 14 (a) indicates that a conversation request is transmitted from “CCCC” to “hanako” on “Monday, Dec. 13, 2010 at 17:43” while “hanako” has not responded to the conversation request. In addition, the incoming call information indicates that a recording message to “hanako” from “CCCC” has not been recorded on the memory card 110.

If “hanako” and “papa” use the terminal 1000B, incoming call information respectively corresponding to user IDs of the two users are recorded on the memory card 110 in the terminal 1000B (FIG. 13), as illustrated in FIG. 14 (b).

FIG. 14 (b) illustrates a specific example of a plurality of (two in this example) incoming call information corresponding to the user ID “hanako”. The incoming call information in the upper stage of FIG. 14 (b) indicates that a conversation request is transmitted from “EEEE” to “hanako” on “Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010 at 20:05” while “hanako” has not responded to the conversation request. In addition, the incoming call information indicates that a recording message to “hanako” from “EEEE” has not been recorded on the memory card 110.

The incoming call information in the lower stage of FIG. 14 (b) indicates that a conversation request is transmitted from “BBBB” to “hanako” on “Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010 at 21:17” while “hanako” has not responded to the conversation request. In addition, the incoming call information in the lower stage indicates that a recording message to “hanako” from “BBBB” has not been recorded on the memory card 110, and a file name of the recording message is “bbb”.

If “hanako” uses the terminal 1000C, incoming call information corresponding to a user ID of the one user is recorded on the memory card 110 in the terminal 1000C (FIG. 13), as illustrated in FIG. 14 (c).

FIG. 14 (c) illustrates a specific example of a plurality of (three in this example) incoming call information corresponding to the user ID “hanako”. The incoming call information in the upper stage of FIG. 14 (c) indicates that a conversation request is transmitted from “AAAA” to “hanako” on “Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010 at 18:33” while “hanako” has responded to the conversation request.

The incoming call information in the middle stage of FIG. 14 (c) indicates that a conversation request is transmitted from “CCCC” to “hanako” on “Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010 at 19:45” while “hanako” has responded to the conversation request.

Further, the incoming call information in the lower stage of FIG. 14 (c) indicates that a conversation request is transmitted from “CCCC” to “hanako” on “Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010 at 22:52” while “hanako” has not responded to the conversation request. In addition, the incoming call information in the lower stage indicates that a recording message to “hanako” from “CCCC” has been recorded on the memory card 110, and a file name of the recording message is “ccc”.

If the communication devices 100 in the plurality of terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C are connected to one another via the router 1100 in the power-on state or the standby state, the plurality of communication devices 100 can transmit and receive the incoming call information and the recording message to and from one another.

The incoming call information and the recording message are transmitted and received among the plurality of communication devices 100 so that the user (“hanako” in the example illustrated in FIG. 14) can display a list of incoming call information including identification information of a recording message addressed to himself/herself on the monitor 301 in the television 300 in one of the plurality of terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C (e.g., the terminal 1000A).

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of an incoming call information list screen. An incoming call information list screen SC8 includes a tab Tb on the left side and a main body portion Bd on the right side. The tab Tb includes a plurality of large items, similarly to that in the contact list screen SC3 illustrated in FIG. 7. A user operates the cross key 414 in the remote controller 400 in the terminal 1000A with the tab Tb displayed on the monitor 301 while signing in to the communication system 1. Thus, the user can display large items “add list”, “history”, “telephone”, and “mail” in the tab Tb displayed on the television 300 in the terminal 1000A, as illustrated in FIG. 15. Further, the user operates the cross key 414 in the remote controller 400 in the terminal 1000A, selects a history list button b14 from the large items in the tab Tb, and then operates the determination button 415. Thus, the control LSI 101 in the communication device 100 in the terminal 1000A is required to display the list of incoming call information.

In this case, in the communication device 100 in the terminal 1000A, the control LSI 101 transmits a request signal for requesting incoming call information and a recording message corresponding to a user ID (“hanako” in this example) of a user who is currently signing in to the communication system 1 to the communication devices 100 in the other terminals 1000B and 1000C based on terminal identification information assigned to the communication devices 100 in the other terminals 1000B and 1000C stored in the flash memory 112. A request signal for requesting only the incoming call information may be transmitted.

The communication device in each of the terminals 1000B and 1000C reads out, when it receives the request signal for requesting the incoming call information from the terminal 1000A, the requested incoming call information (the incoming call information corresponding to the user ID of the user) from the memory card 110 and transmits the read incoming call information to the communication device 100 in the terminal 1000A. Similarly, the communication device 100 in each of the terminals 1000B and 1000C reads out the requested recording message (the recording message corresponding to the user ID of the user) from the memory card 110 and transmits the read recording message to the communication device 100 in the terminal 1000A. If the request signal for requesting only the incoming call information is received, the communication device 100 in each of the terminals 1000B and 1000C need not transmit the recording message to the communication device 100 in the terminal 1000A.

The communication device 100 in each of the terminals 1000B and 1000C transmits, if the incoming call information corresponding to “hanako” has not been recorded on the memory card 110, a response signal indicating that the requested incoming call information does not exist to the communication device 100 in the terminal 1000A.

Thus, the control LSI 101 in the terminal 1000A receives the requested incoming call information and recording message from the communication device 100 in each of the terminals 1000B and 1000C, to record the received incoming call information and recording message in the memory card 110. The control LSI 101 in the communication device 100 in the terminal 1000A reads out the incoming call information corresponding to the user ID of the user from the memory card 110. Further, the control LSI 101 in the communication device 100 in the terminal 1000A generates list data for displaying a list of incoming call information corresponding to the user ID of the user on the monitor 301 in the television 300 based on the incoming call information read out of the memory card 110.

On the incoming call information list screen SC8 illustrated in FIG. 15, the list of incoming call information based on the list data generated in the above-mentioned manner is displayed in the main body portion Bd. In the list of incoming call information illustrated in FIG. 15, a plurality of history buttons b20 are arranged to line up in a longitudinal direction while the item “return to setting” is arranged in the uppermost stage. The plurality of history buttons b20 illustrated in FIG. 15 respectively represent a plurality of incoming call information corresponding to the user ID “hanako” illustrated in FIGS. 14 (a), 14 (b), and 14 (c). Each of the plurality of history buttons b20 illustrated in FIG. 15 includes a state display portion p1, a caller display portion p2, a message recording display portion p3, a time display portion p4, and a terminal display portion p5. “State”, “caller”, “message recording”, “time”, and “terminal” in which incoming call information has been generated are respectively displayed in the state display portion p1, the caller display portion p2, the message recording display portion p3, the time display portion p4, and the terminal display portion p5.

On the incoming call information list screen SC8 illustrated in FIG. 15, the user (“hanako” in this example) can select any one of “return to setting” and the plurality of history buttons b20 in the main body portion Bd illustrated in FIG. 15 by operating the cross key 414 in the remote controller 400 (FIG. 1). In a portion selected by the user, a focus frame indicating that the portion has been selected is displayed. In FIG. 15, the focus frame is indicated by a thick solid line to surround the item “return to setting”.

When the determination button 415 in the remote controller 400 (FIG. 1) is operated with any one of the plurality of history buttons b20 selected, a display form of the selected history button b20 is changed.

FIG. 16 illustrates an incoming call information list screen SC8 when one of the plurality of history buttons b20 illustrated in FIG. 15 is selected. As illustrated in FIG. 16, when one of the plurality of history buttons b20 is selected, the selected history button b20 is surrounded by the focus frame while a display region of the selected history button b20 is enlarged.

In the enlarged history button b20, “state”, “caller”, “message recording”, “time”, and terminal in which incoming call information has been generated are displayed while “message recording reproduction”, “video conversation”, “voice conversation”, “profile”, “delete”, and “protect” are displayed as small items. The user can select any one of the small items by operating the cross key 414 in the remote controller 400 (FIG. 1).

“Message recording reproduction” out of the plurality of small items is an item for reproducing a recording message corresponding to the incoming call information displayed on the selected history button b20. The cross key 414 (FIG. 1) is operated to select “message recording reproduction”, and the determination button 415 (FIG. 1) is operated so that the recording message corresponding to the selected incoming call information is read out of the memory card 110, and is reproduced.

“Video conversation” is an item for transmitting a conversation request for requesting a caller to make a conversation using video and audio based on the incoming call information displayed on the selected history button b20. The cross key 414 (FIG. 1) is operated to select “video conversation”, and the determination button 415 (FIG. 1) is operated so that a request signal for requesting the server for conversation 2000 to talk with a caller (“CCCC” in the example illustrated in FIG. 16) using video and audio is transmitted to the server for conversation 2000. Thus, the user can talk with the caller using video and audio.

“Voice conversation” is an item for transmitting a conversation request for requesting a caller to make a conversation using audio based on the incoming call information displayed on the selected history button b20. The cross key 414 (FIG. 1) is operated to select “voice conversation”, and the determination button 415 (FIG. 1) is operated so that a request signal for requesting the server for conversation 2000 to talk with a caller (“CCCC” in this example) using audio is transmitted to the server for conversation 2000. Thus, the user can talk with the caller using not video but audio.

“Profile” is an item for reading out, if information relating to a caller displayed on the selected history button b20 is recorded in the flash memory 112 or the memory card 110, the information. “Delete” is an item for deleting the incoming call information displayed on the selected history button b20 from the memory card 110. “Protect” is an item for preventing the incoming call information displayed on the selected history button b20 from being deleted from the memory card 110.

As described above, the plurality of history buttons b20 respectively corresponding to the plurality of incoming call information are displayed in the main body portion Bd on the incoming call information list screen SC8. If the number of incoming call information is large, therefore, all the history buttons b20 may be unable to be displayed in the main body portion Bd. If all the history buttons b20 cannot be displayed in the main body portion Bd, a scroll bar s20 may be provided in the main body portion Bd, as illustrated in FIG. 16. In this case, the user operates the scroll bar s20 so that desired one of all the history buttons b20 can be displayed in the main body portion Bd.

Some of the plurality of history buttons b20 displayed on the incoming call information list screen SC8 may be highlight-displayed, as indicated by hatching in FIGS. 15 and 16. For example, the history button b20, for which the determination button 415 is not operated, may be highlight-displayed. In this case, the user can easily identify the history button b20, which is not confirmed by himself/herself, out of the plurality of history buttons b20.

[5] Conversation Program

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of one operation of the control LSI 101 based on a conversation program according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, suppose a case where one of the communication devices 100 is connected to the other communication device 100 via the router 1100 (FIG. 13). It is assumed that the plurality of communication devices 100, which are connected to one another via the router 1100, are in the power-on state or the standby state. In this case, the flash memory 112 in the one communication device 100 stores terminal identification information assigned to the other communication device 100 connected thereto via the router 1100.

First, a user of the one communication device 100 signs in to the communication system 1 using user information of the user. In description of the flowchart, a user ID of the user information is referred to as a current user ID. The control LSI 101 in the one communication device 100 is referred to as a use control LSI 101.

The use control LSI 101 then determines whether it has received a request to display a list of incoming call information, i.e., whether it is instructed to collect incoming call information (step S10). As described above, the user can give the request to display the list of incoming call information to the use control LSI 101 by selecting the history list button b14 illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16 and operating the determination button 415 in the remote controller 400 illustrated in FIG. 1.

The use control LSI 101 requests, when it receives the request to display the list of incoming call information, the other communication device 100 connected thereto via the router 110 to send incoming call information and a recording message corresponding to the current user ID (step S11).

As described above, in the other communication device 100, if the requested incoming call information and recording message have been recorded on the memory card 110, the incoming call information and the recording message are read out of the memory card 110, and the read incoming call information and recording message are transmitted to the one communication device 100. In the other communication device 100, if the requested incoming call information and recording message have not been recorded on the memory card 110, a response signal indicating that the requested incoming call information and recording message do not exist is transmitted to the one communication device 100.

Then, the use control LSI 101 determines whether it has received a response (incoming call information and a recording message or a response signal) from the other communication device 100 (step S12). The use control LSI 101 records, when it has received the response from the other communication device 100, the incoming call information and the recording message, which have been received from the other communication device 100, on the memory card 110 while reading out the incoming call information recorded on the memory card 110 and generating list data corresponding to the current user ID based on the read incoming call information. The use control LSI 101 displays a list of incoming call information on the monitor 301 in the television 300 based on the generated list data (step S13).

The use control LSI 101 determines whether it has received an instruction to finish displaying the list of incoming call information with the list of incoming call information displayed (step S14). For example, the user can give the instruction to finish displaying the list of incoming call information to the use control LSI 101 by selecting the item “return to setting” displayed in the main body portion Bd on the incoming call information list screen SC8 illustrated in FIG. 15, and then operating the determination button 415 in the remote controller 400.

The use control LSI 101 finishes, if it has received the instruction to finish displaying the list of incoming call information, displaying the list of incoming call information. On the other hand, the use control LSI 101 determines, if it does not receive the instruction to finish displaying the list of incoming call information, whether it has received an annunciation signal from another new communication device when the other new communication device is connected to the router 1100 (step S15).

The fact that another new communication device is connected to the router 1100 means that another new communication device, which is not connected to the router 1100, is connected to the router 1100 in the power-on state or that another new communication device, which is not connected to the router 1100, is connected to the router 1100 in the standby state. If it does not receive the annunciation signal, the use control LSI 101 returns to step S14.

The annunciation signal, which is received in step S15 in the one communication device 100, includes terminal identification information of a new communication terminal connected to the router 1100. The use control LSI 101 requests, if it has received the annunciation signal in step S15, the other new communication device connected thereto via the router 1100 to send incoming call information and a recording message associated with the current user ID based on the annunciation signal (step S16).

Then, the use control LSI 101 determines whether it has received a response (incoming call information and a recording message or a response signal) from the other new communication device (step S17). The use control LSI 101 records, if it has received the response from the other new communication device, the incoming call information and the recording message, which have been received from the other new communication device, on the memory card 110 while regenerating list data corresponding to the current user ID based on the list data generated in step S13 and the incoming call information received from the other new communication device. The use control LSI 101 redisplays a list of incoming call information on the monitor 301 in the television 300 based on the regenerated list data (step S18). Then, the use control LSI 101 returns to step S14.

In the above-mentioned example, the plurality of communication devices 100, which are connected to one another via the router 1100, are in the power-on state or the standby state. On the other hand, if the other communication device 100 is in the power-off state, the use control LSI 101 receives the annunciation signal from the other communication device 100 when the other communication device 100 transits to the standby state or the power-on state from the power-off state in step S15. In this case, the use control LSI 101 recognizes the other communication device 100 as another new communication device 100, and determines that it has received an annunciation signal from the other new communication device 100 in the above-mentioned step S15.

In the above-mentioned example, the use control LSI 101 requests the other communication device 100 to send the incoming call information and the recording message if it has received the request to display the list of incoming call information. Not only this, but the use control LSI 101 may request only the incoming call information if it has received the request to display the list of incoming call information, and receive only the incoming call information from the other communication device 100. In this case, the use control LSI 101 requests, when it is instructed to reproduce the recording message recorded in the other communication device 100 with the list of incoming call information displayed on the television 300, the other communication terminal 100 to send a recording message serving as a reproduction object based on the incoming call information. Then, the use control LSI 101 receives the recording message from the other communication terminal 100, to reproduce the recording message.

In this case, a large number of recording messages are prevented from being simultaneously transmitted to the one communication device 100 from the other communication device 100. Therefore, a large-capacity memory card 110 need not be prepared.

[6] Conversation Operation

The conversation operation in the terminal 1000A based on the conversation program stored in the memory 101M of the control LSI 101 illustrated in FIG. 2, together with a detailed configuration of the control LSI 101, will be described.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration and an operation of the control LSI 101 illustrated in FIG. 2. A connection relationship among the control LSI 101, and the camera/microphone device 200, the television 300, and the network 500 illustrated in FIG. 2 is illustrated in FIG. 18. Illustration of an interface of each connection unit is omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, the control LSI 101 includes a control block 101A and a communication block 101B. The control block 101A includes a buffer 121, a decoder 122, a synthesizer 123, an encoder 124, a clock unit 125, a time applicator 126, a response extractor 127, and a controller 129. The communication block 101B includes a communication management unit 131, a receiver 132, a packetizer 133, and a transmitter 134.

In the communication block 101B in the control LSI 101, when communication is performed between the terminal 1000A and the other communication terminal, the communication management unit 131 detects an encoding method of data that can be decoded in the other communication terminal, and feeds an instruction signal for issuing an instruction to encode data for transmission in the detected encoding method to the controller 129 in the control block 101A. If video data encoded in an H.264 format can be decoded in the other communication terminal, for example, the communication management unit 131 feeds an instruction signal for issuing an instruction to encode the video data in an H.264 format to the controller 129. If audio data encoded in a SILK format can be decoded in the other communication terminal, the communication management unit 131 feeds an instruction signal for issuing an instruction to encode the audio data in the SILK format to the controller 129.

The other communication terminal transmits data (video data and audio data) to the terminal 1000A via the network 500. The receiver 132 in the terminal 1000A receives the data (video data and audio data) transmitted from the other communication terminal. The received data is packetized.

The receiver 132 feeds the received data to the buffer 121 in the control block 101A. The data is temporarily stored in the buffer 121. The receiver 132 feeds a reception signal indicating that the data (video data and audio data) is being received to the controller 129.

In this case, the controller 129 feeds an instruction signal for issuing an instruction to decode the data (video data and audio data) stored in the buffer 121 to the decoder 122. Thus, the decoder 122 decodes the data (video data and audio data) stored in the buffer 121.

In the following description, the video data decoded by the decoder 122 is referred to as received video data Da, and the audio data decoded by the decoder 122 is referred to as received audio data Db.

The received video data Da is fed to the synthesizer 123. Transmitted video data Dc, described below, is fed from the camera/microphone device 200 to the synthesizer 123. The synthesizer 123 synthesizes the received video data Da and the transmitted video data Dc into synthesized video data E.

The synthesizer 123 feeds the generated synthesized video data E to a D/A converter 303 in the television 300. The D/A converter 303 converts the synthesized video data E in a digital format to a synthesized video signal in an analog format. Thus, video based on the synthesized video signal (e.g., the conversation screen SC7 illustrated in FIG. 12) to be displayed on the monitor 301 in the television 300.

The received audio data Db is fed to the D/A converter 304 in the television 300. The D/A converter 304 converts the received audio data Db in a digital format to an audio signal in an analog format. The audio signal in an analog format is input to the speaker 302 via the audio volume adjuster 310. Audio based on the audio signal is output from the speaker 302.

The camera 201 in the camera/microphone device 200 acquires video. A video signal based on the acquired video is fed to an A/D converter 203. The ND converter 203 converts the video signal in an analog format to video data in a digital format.

Audio is input to the microphone 202 in the camera/microphone device 200. An audio signal based on the input audio is fed to the ND converter 204. The ND converter 204 converts the audio signal in an analog format to audio data in a digital format.

In the following description, the video data after the conversion by the A/D converter 203 is referred to as transmitted video data Dc, and the audio data after the conversion by the A/D converter 204 is referred to as transmitted audio data Dd.

When the received audio data Db is fed from the communication device 100 to the television 300, the audio based on the received audio data Db is output from the speaker 302. In the camera/microphone device 200, the transmitted audio data Dd based on the input audio is generated, and is fed to the communication device 100.

During the conversation operation, when an instruction signal relating to encoding is fed from the communication management unit 131 to the controller 129, the controller 129 feeds a designation signal for designating an encoding method according to the fed instruction signal to the encoder 124. Thus, the encoder 124 encodes the transmitted video data Dc and the transmitted audio data Dd in the encoding method designated by the designation signal. The encoded transmitted video data Dc and transmitted audio data Dd are fed to the packetizer 133. The packetizer 133 packetizes the transmitted video data Dc and the transmitted audio data Dd. The packetized transmitted video data Dc and transmitted audio data Dd are transmitted from the transmitter 134 to the communication terminal of the other user via the network 500.

The functions of the controller 129 are implemented by hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory and software such as computer programs.

The buffer 121, the decoder 122, the synthesizer 123, the encoder 124, the clock unit 125, the time applicator 126, the response extractor 127, the communication management unit 131, the receiver 132, the packetizer 133, and the transmitter 134 may be implemented by hardware such as electronic circuits, and parts of these constituent elements may be implemented by hardware such as a CPU and a memory and software such as computer programs.

[7] Message Recording

The message recording operation of the terminal 1000A based on the conversation program stored in the memory 101M of the control LSI 101 illustrated in FIG. 2, together with the detailed configuration of the control LSI 101, will be described.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration and an operation of a control LSI 101 illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 19 also illustrates a connection relationship among the control LSI 101, and the camera/microphone device 200, the television 300, and the network 500 illustrated in FIG. 2. Illustration of an interface of each connection unit is omitted.

The message recording operation includes processing for transmitting a response message, a recording-in-progress message, and a recording end message, and processing for recording a recording message (a message recording message).

The response message includes video data and audio data, and is previously recorded on the memory card 110 by the response message setting in the message recording setting item illustrated in FIG. 9. Common time information is given to the video data and the audio data in the response message. The recording-in-progress message is information indicating that a recording message received from the other communication terminal is being recorded. The recording-in-progress message is video data for displaying a mark indicating that recording is being performed, for example. A mark indicating that recording is being performed is displayed as the recording-in-progress message on the other communication terminal.

The recording end message is information indicating that recording of the recording message has ended by an elapse of a predetermined time (e.g., one minute) since the response message finished being transmitted. The recording end message is audio data for outputting a beep sound, for example. The beep sound is output from the other communication terminal when a predetermined time has elapsed since the response message finished being transmitted. The recording-in-progress message and the recording end message are previously stored in an internal memory of the controller 129.

The recording message is video data and audio data, which have been received from the other communication terminal during the message recording operation, as described above. For example, the recording message is video data corresponding to video acquired by the camera in the other communication terminal and audio data corresponding to audio acquired by the microphone in the other communication terminal. The recording message may include only the audio data. Alternatively, the recording message may include only the video data.

The communication management unit 131 establishes communication between the terminal 1000A and the other communication terminal. The control unit 129 then controls the response extractor 127 to read out the response message. Thus, the response extractor 127 reads out the response message from the memory card 110, and transmits the read response message to the other communication terminal via the packetizer 133 and the transmitter 134, as indicated by arrows q1 and q2 illustrated in FIG. 19.

The other communication terminal transmits the recording message including the video data and the audio data to the terminal 1000A when it receives the response message. The receiver 132 in the terminal 1000A receives a recording message transmitted from the other communication terminal. The receiver 132 gives the received recording message to the buffer 121. The buffer 121 temporarily stores the recording message. The decoder 122 decodes the recording message stored in the buffer 121.

The controller 129 controls the time applicator 126 to apply time information to the recording message decoded by the decoder 122. The time applicator 126 applies common time information to the video data and the audio data in the recording message based on system clocks in the clock unit 125, and records the recording message, to which the time information has been given, on the memory card 110, as indicated by an arrow q3 illustrated in FIG. 19.

In this case, the controller 129 gives the recording-in-progress message, which has previously been recorded in the internal memory, to the response extractor 127, as indicated by an arrow q4 illustrated in FIG. 19. The response extractor 127 transmits the recording-in-progress message to the other communication terminal via the packetizer 133 and the transmitter 134, as indicated by an arrow q2 illustrated in FIG. 19. After an elapse of a predetermined time, the controller 129 gives the recording end message, which has previously been stored in the internal memory, to the response extractor 127, as indicated by the arrow q4 illustrated in FIG. 19. The response extractor 127 transmits the recording end message to the other communication terminal via the packetizer 133 and the transmitter 134, as indicated by the arrow q2 illustrated in FIG. 19.

The recording message may be recorded in the flash memory 112 illustrated in FIG. 2 instead of being recorded on the memory card 110.

If an instruction to reproduce the recording message is issued, the controller 129 reads out the recording message recorded on the memory card 110. The controller 129 feeds the video data in the read recording message to the D/A converter 303 in the television 300 while feeding the audio data in the recording message to the D/A converter 304 in the television 300. Thus, the video based on the video data in the recording message is displayed on the monitor 301, and the audio based on the audio data in the recording message is output from the speaker 302. Thus, the recording message is reproduced.

[8] Effects

In the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment, the user can use the communication devices 100 in the plurality of terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C to sign in to the communication system 1 using his/her own user information. The communication device 100 in each of the terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C has the message recording function. If the user uses the plurality of terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C, therefore, the recording message addressed to himself/herself may be recorded in a distributed manner in the communication devices 100 in the plurality of terminals 1000A, 10008, and 1000C.

Even in such a case, if the communication device 100 signs in to the communication system 1 using the same user information, the communication device 100 is requested to display the list of incoming call information so that the incoming call information corresponding to the same user information is transmitted to the communication device 100 from the other communication device 100. In the communication device 100, the incoming call information transmitted from the other communication device 100 is received, and the list data is generated based on the received incoming call information. The list of incoming call information corresponding to the same user information is displayed on the monitor 301 in the television 300 based on the list data.

Thus, the user of the communication device 100 can easily collect the incoming call information corresponding to the recording message addressed to himself/herself, which has been recorded in the other communication device 100, from the other communication device 100. Therefore, such inconvenience that the user cannot recognize that while using the communication device 100 to sign in using the user information of the user, the recording message corresponding to the same user information has been recorded in the other communication device 100 is solved. Thus, inconvenience occurring when the same user uses the plurality of communication devices 100 having the message recording function can be solved.

[9] Correspondences between Elements in the Claims and Parts in Embodiments

In the following paragraphs, non-limiting examples of correspondences between various elements recited in the claims below and those described above with respect to various preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained.

In the embodiment, described above, the communication system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is an example of a communication system, the communication device 100 in one of the plurality of terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C is an example of a communication device, and the communication devices 100 in the others of the plurality of communication devices 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C are examples of other devices. The user information is an example of user information, the controller 129 in the control LSI 101 is an example of a controller and a processor, and the recording message is an example of a message.

Further, the incoming call information “time”, “caller”, and “message recording file name” are examples of identification information, the remote controller 400 is an example of an instructor and a selector, the transmitter 134 and the receiver 132 in the control LSI 101 are examples of a communicator. The list data is an example of list data, the television 300 is an example of an outputter, the television 300 and the controller 129 in the control LSI 101 are examples of a reproducer, the memory card 110 is an example of a recorder, and the conversation program is an example of an operation program.

As each of various elements recited in the claims, various other elements having configurations or functions described in the claims can be also used.

[10] Other Embodiments

(1) In the plurality of terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C according to the above-mentioned embodiment, the incoming call information respectively corresponding to the user IDs of the plurality of users are recorded on the memory card 110.

Not only this, but in the plurality of terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C, information other than the incoming call information respectively corresponding to the user IDs of the plurality of users (hereinafter referred to as other information) may be recorded on the memory card 110.

If one of the users uses the plurality of terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C as video cameras, for example, video data and audio data, which have been acquired by an operation of the one user, may be recorded on the memory card 110 in the state of being associated with the user ID of the one user as the other information.

In this case, in the plurality of terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C, the other information corresponding to the same user ID is recorded on each of the plurality of memory cards 110. In such a case, the user operates the one communication device 100 so that the other information associated with the same user ID, which has been recorded on the memory card 110 in the other communication device 100, may be transmitted to the one communication device 100.

Thus, in this example, the users of the plurality of terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C can confirm the other information recorded in all the terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C used for storing video and audio using the one communication device 100. The other information may be recorded in the flash memory 112 instead of being recorded on the memory card 110.

(2) In the example illustrated in FIG. 13, a case where the user uses the plurality of terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C connected to the router 1100 has been described. Not only this, but if the user uses the plurality of communication terminals connected to one another via the network 500, an operation for requesting and an operation for responding to incoming call information and a recording message corresponding to the one user may be performed among the plurality of communication terminals.

For example, suppose a case where the user uses the mobile phone 900, together with the terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C illustrated in FIG. 1, and incoming call information corresponding to user information of the user is recorded in each of the communication devices 100 in the terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C and the mobile phone 900.

In this case, if the user requests to display a list of incoming call information in the communication device 100 in the terminal 1000A, the control LSI 101 in the communication device 100 may request each of the communication devices 100 in the terminals 1000B and 1000C and the mobile phone 900 to send incoming call information and a recording message corresponding to the user information of the user. The control LSI 101 may receive the incoming call information and the recording message, which are transmitted from each of the communication devices 100 in the terminals 1000B and 1000C and the mobile phone 900.

Similarly, the incoming call information corresponding to the user information of the user is recorded in the server for conversation 2000, the control LSI 101 in the communication device 100 may request each of the communication devices 100 in the terminals 1000B and 1000C and the server for conversation 2000 to send incoming call information and a recording message corresponding to the user information of the user. The control LSI 101 may receive the incoming call information and the recording message, which are transmitted from each of the communication devices 100 in the terminals 1000B and 1000C and the server for conversation 2000.

(3) In the example illustrated in FIG. 13, the communication device 100 is requested to display the list of incoming call information in one of the plurality of terminals 1000A, 1000B, and 1000C connected to the router 1100 so that the one terminal requests the other communication terminal to send the incoming call information. Not only this, but the one terminal may request the other communication terminal to send the incoming call information every time the communication system 1 is signed in to in the one terminal, or the one terminal may request the other communication terminal to send the incoming call information for each predetermined period of time.

(4) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the list of incoming call information includes incoming call information in which “state” is “conversation” and “absence incoming call”. Not only this, but the list of incoming call information may include only incoming call information in which “state” is “absence incoming call”. The list of incoming call information may include only incoming call information in which “state” is “absence incoming call”. Alternatively, the list of incoming call information may include only incoming call information in which “message recording” is “YES”.

(5) In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example in which at least one of the incoming call information “time”, “caller”, and “message recording file name” is used as the identification information of the recording message has been described. The identification information is not limited to that in the example illustrated in FIG. 14. The identification information may be another information capable of identifying the recording message.

(6) In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example in which the communication device 100 transits among three states that include the power-off state, the standby state, and the power-on state, as illustrated in FIG. 3, has been described. The communication device 100 may further transit to a power saving standby state.

The power saving standby state refers to a state where electric power is supplied to a part of a control functional unit in the communication device 100, and electric power is not supplied to other parts of the control functional unit and a main functional unit. In the power saving standby state, electric power is supplied to only the wireless receiver 104 in the control functional unit, and electric power is not supplied to the control LSI 101, the FL display 191, the LED unit 192, and the buzzer 193 in the control functional unit and the main control unit, for example. In this case, in the communication device 100, only a receiving function from the remote controller 400 is turned on, and other functions are turned off.

The communication device 100 in each of the terminals 1000A, 10008, and 1000C illustrated in FIG. 13 may transmit the terminal identification information assigned to the communication device 100 in the terminal to the other terminal as an annunciation signal at the time point where it transits from the power saving standby state to the power-on state in the state of being connected to the router 1100.

(7) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the incoming call information and the recording data are recorded on the memory card 110. Not only this, but each of the incoming call information and the recording data may be recorded in the flash memory 112 instead of being recorded on the memory card 110. Alternatively, each of the incoming call information and the recording data may be recorded on the optical disk by the optical disk drive 108 illustrated in FIG. 2 instead of being recorded on the memory card 110.

(8) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the server for conversation 2000 permits the user to sign in to the communication system 1 if signing-in using the same user information as the received user information is not being performed, and does not permit the user to sign in to the communication system 1 if signing-in using the same user information as the received user information is being currently performed. Not only this, but the server for conversation 2000 may permit the user to sign in to the communication system 1 even when signing-in using the same user information as the received user information is being currently performed. In this case, the user can use the plurality of communication devices 100 to sign in to the communication system 1 using the same user ID.

Suppose a case where the user uses the plurality of communication devices 100 to sign in to the communication system 1 using the same user ID. In this case, a conversation request from the other communication terminal to the user is simultaneously transmitted to the plurality of communication devices 100 used by the user. If the user cannot respond to the conversation request, at least one of the plurality of communication devices 100 may perform the above-mentioned message recording operation. If the one communication device 100 performs the above-mentioned message recording operation, the others of the plurality of communication devices 100 need not perform the above-mentioned message recording operation. At least one of the communication devices 100 may be previously determined by the user, or may be automatically determined based on a content of message recording setting in each of the communication devices 100 (e.g., the length of “time to switching from incoming call to message recording”). Not only the foregoing, but the message recording operation may be performed in each of the plurality of communication devices 100.

As described above, if the conversation request from the other communication terminal to the user is simultaneously transmitted to the plurality of communication devices 100, incoming call information, which differ from one another for the same incoming call, may be generated among the plurality of communication devices 100.

If one of the plurality of communication devices 100 performs a message recording operation, for example, “message recording” is “YES” in incoming call information generated by the one communication device 100. On the other hand, if the others of the plurality of communication devices 100 do not perform a message recording operation, “message recording” is “NO” in incoming call information generated by the other communication devices 100.

In this case, all the plurality of incoming call information generated by the plurality of communication devices 100 may be displayed to correspond to the same incoming call on the list of incoming call information. Alternatively, one of the plurality of incoming call information generated by the plurality of communication devices 100 may be displayed to correspond to the same incoming call on the list of incoming call information. In this case, incoming call information in which “message recording” is “YES” may be preferably selected as the one incoming call information.

(9) While the communication device 100 includes the optical disk drive 108 as a main functional unit in the above-mentioned embodiment, the communication device 100 may use another drive for driving another recording medium such as a hard disk or a memory card as a recording medium in place of or in addition to the optical disk drive 108 as the main functional unit.

(10) While in the above-mentioned embodiment, the optical disk drive 108 serving as a main functional unit in the communication device 100 is configured to record video data and audio data on the recording medium while reproducing video data and audio data from the recording medium, and the communication device 100 is a recording/reproduction device (recorder), the present invention is not limited to this. The optical disk drive 108 in the communication device 100 may be configured to reproduce video data and audio data from the recording medium, and the communication device 100 may be a reproduction device (player).

(11) The communication device 100 may be a television receiver. In the case, the television receiver includes the communication device 100 and the television 300 illustrated in FIG. 2 or 18. However, the television receiver may or need not include the optical disk drive 108. In this case, the tuner 320 is an example of a main functional unit.

(12) Further, while the communication device 100 has a message recoding function in the above-mentioned embodiment, the communication device 100 need not have a message recording function.

(13) Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the communication device 100 receives, while signing in to the communication system 1, a request to display the list of incoming call information corresponding to the user ID used for the signing-in. Thus, the list of incoming call information corresponding to the user ID used for the signing-in is displayed on the monitor 301 in the television 300.

Not only this, but the communication device 100 may receive a request to display a list of incoming call information corresponding to a user ID other than the user ID used for the signing-in. Alternatively, the list of incoming call information corresponding to the other user ID may be displayed on the monitor 301 in the television 300.

Further, the communication device 100 may receive a request to display a list of incoming call information corresponding to any user ID without signing in to the communication system 1. In this case, a list of incoming call information corresponding to the requested user ID may be displayed on the monitor 301 in the television 300.

[11] Comprehensive Description of Communication Device and Communication Method According to Embodiment

(1) As described above, a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a communication device configured to be capable of signing in to a communication system including another device, which includes a controller configured to be capable of performing a signing in operation using user information that is uniquely given to a user, an instructor configured to issue an instruction to collect identification information for identifying a message recorded by a message recording operation in a signing in state corresponding to the user information, and a communicator configured to transmit a transmission request for requesting to transmit the identification information corresponding to the message recorded by the message recording operation in the signing in state corresponding to the user information in the other device in response to the instruction from the instructor, and receive the identification information transmitted from the other device in response to the transmission request.

In the communication device, the controller can perform the signing in operation using the user information that is uniquely given to the user. On the other hand, the message may be recorded by performing the message recording operation in the other device while the other device signs in to the communication system using the same user information. In such a case, when the instructor issues the instruction to collect the identification information, the communicator transmits the transmission request for requesting to transmit the identification information corresponding to the message recorded in the other device to the other device. The communicator receives the identification information transmitted from the other device in response to the transmission request.

Thus, the user of the communication device can easily collect the identification information corresponding to the message addressed to himself/herself, which has been recorded in the other device, from the other device. Therefore, such inconvenience that the user cannot recognize that when using the communication device, the message corresponding to the user information of the same user has been recorded in the other device is solved. Thus, inconvenience occurring when the same user uses the other device having the message recording function can be solved.

(2) The communicator may be configured to transmit the transmission request to the other device in response to the instruction from the instructor in the signing in state using the user information, and receive the identification information transmitted from the other device in response to the transmission request in the signing in state using the user information by the sign in operation.

In this case, when the instructor issues the instruction to collect the identification information while the communication device signs in to the communication system using the user information, the communicator transmits the transmission request to the other device. The communicator receives the identification information transmitted from the other device in response to the transmission request while the communication device signs in to the communication system using the user information.

Thus, the user of the communication device can acquire the identification information from the other device while signing in to the communication system. Thus, the communication system can be used based on the acquired identification information. Therefore, the convenience of the user is improved.

(3) The communication device may further include an outputter configured to be capable of outputting list data including the identification information received by the communicator in response to the transmission request.

In this case, the outputter outputs a list of identification information. Thus, the user can confirm the identification information corresponding to the message addressed to himself/herself as a list.

(4) The communication device may further include a selector configured to be capable of selecting identification information from the list data output from the outputter, and a reproducer configured to reproduce a message corresponding to the identification information selected by the selector.

In this case, the user can easily reproduce the desired message using the reproducer by selecting the desired identification information from the list of identification information corresponding to the message addressed to himself/herself using the selector.

(5) The communicator may be configured to receive the message transmitted together with the identification information from the other device in response to the transmission request, and the reproducer may be configured to reproduce the message corresponding to the identification information selected by the selector among the messages received by the communicator.

In this case, the communicator receives the message transmitted together with the identification information from the other device by requesting to transmit the identification information. Therefore, the user of the communication device can immediately reproduce the desired message using the reproducer at any time point.

(6) The communicator may be configured to acquire the message corresponding to the identification information selected by the selector from the other device, and the reproducer may be configured to reproduce the message acquired by the communicator.

In this case, the communicator acquires the message corresponding to the identification information selected by the selector from the other device. Therefore, a large number of messages are prevented from being simultaneously transmitted from the other device to the communicator. Thus, the communication device need not be provided with a large-capacity recording medium.

(7) The communication device may further include a recorder that records the identification information received by the communicator in response to the transmission request.

In this case, the user can confirm the message addressed to himself/herself, which has been recorded by the message recording operation, based on the identification information recorded in the recorder, at any time point.

(8) The communicator may be configured to transmit, when the other device includes a plurality of communication terminals, the transmission request to the plurality of communication terminals and receive identification information transmitted from the plurality of communication terminals in response to the transmission request.

In this case, the user can easily collect the identification information corresponding to the message addressed to himself/herself, which has been recorded in the plurality of communication terminals included in the other device from the plurality of communication terminals. Therefore, such inconvenience that the user cannot recognize that while using the communication device to sign in to the communication system using the user information of the user, the message corresponding to the same user information has been recorded in the plurality of communication terminals is solved. Thus, inconvenience occurring when the same user uses the plurality of communication terminals having the message recording function can be solved. Therefore, the convenience of the user is improved.

(9) A method for operating a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a method for operating a communication device configured to be capable of signing in to a communication system including another device, which includes the steps of transmitting a transmission request for requesting to transmit identification information corresponding to a message recorded by a message recording operation in a signing in state corresponding to user information that is uniquely given to a user in the other device in response to an instruction to collect identification information for identifying the message recorded by the message recording operation in the signing in state corresponding to the user information, and receiving the identification information transmitted from the other device in response to the transmission request.

In the method for operating the communication device, the user information is uniquely given to the user. The message may be recorded by performing the message recording operation in the other device while the other device signs in to the communication system using the same user information. In such a case, when the instruction to collect the identification information is issued, the transmission request for requesting to transmit the identification information corresponding to the message recorded in the other device is transmitted to the other device. The identification information transmitted from the other device in response to the transmission request is received.

Thus, the user of the communication device can easily collect the identification information corresponding to the message addressed to himself/herself, which has been recorded in the other device, from the other device. Therefore, such inconvenience that the user cannot recognize that when using the communication device, the message corresponding to the user information of the same user has been recorded in the other device is solved. Thus, inconvenience occurring when the same user uses the other device having the message recording function can be solved.

(10) The method for operating the communication device may further include the step of performing a signing in operation using the user information by the communication device, in which the step of transmitting may include transmitting the transmission request to the other device in response to the instruction to collect the identification information in the signing in state using the user information by the signing in operation, and the step of receiving may include receiving the identification information transmitted form the other device in response to the transmission request in the signing in state using the user information by the signing in operation.

In this case, the communication device performs the signing in operation using the user information. When the instruction to collect the identification information is issued while the communication device signs in to the communication system using the user information, the transmission request is transmitted to the other device. The identification information transmitted from the other device in response to the transmission request is received while the communication device signs in to the communication system using the user information.

Thus, the user of the communication device can acquire the identification information from the other device while signing in to the communication system. Thus, the communication system can be used based on the acquired identification information. Therefore, the convenience of the user is improved.

(11) An operation program for a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention is an operation program executable by a processor of a communication device configured to be capable of signing in to a communication system including another device, the program causing the processor to perform processing of transmitting a transmission request for requesting to transmit identification information corresponding to a message recorded by a message recording operation in a signing in state corresponding to user information that is uniquely given to a user in the other device in response to an instruction to collect identification information for identifying the message recorded by the message recording operation in the signing in state corresponding to the user information, and receiving the identification information transmitted from the other device in response to the transmission request.

In the operation program for the communication device, the user information is uniquely given to the user. The message may be recorded by performing the message recording operation in the other device while the other device signs in to the communication system using the same user information. In such a case, when the instruction to collect the identification information is issued, the transmission request for requesting to transmit the identification information corresponding to the message recorded in the other device by the processor is transmitted to the other device. The identification information transmitted from the other device in response to the transmission request is received.

Thus, the user of the communication device can easily collect the identification information corresponding to the message addressed to himself/herself, which has been recorded in the other device, from the other device. Therefore, such inconvenience that the user cannot recognize that when using the communication device, the message corresponding to the user information of the same user has been recorded in the other device is solved. Thus, inconvenience occurring when the same user uses the other device having the message recording function can be solved.

(12) The operation program for the communication device may cause the processor to further perform processing of performing a signing in operation using the user information by the communication device, in which the processing of transmitting may include processing of transmitting the transmission request to the other device in response to the instruction to collect the identification information in the signing in state using the user information by the signing in operation, and the processing of receiving may include processing of receiving the identification information transmitted form the other device in response to the transmission request in the signing in state using the user information by the signing in operation.

In this case, the communication device performs the signing in operation using the user information. When the instruction to collect the identification information is issued while the communication device signs in to the communication system using the user information, the transmission request is transmitted to the other device. The identification information transmitted from the other device in response to the transmission request is received while the communication device signs in to the communication system using the user information.

Thus, the user of the communication device can acquire the identification information from the other device while signing in to the communication system. Thus, the communication system can be used based on the acquired identification information. Therefore, the convenience of the user is improved.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims. 

1. A communication device configured to be capable of signing in to a communication system including another device, comprising: a controller configured to be capable of performing a signing in operation using user information that is uniquely given to a user; an instructor configured to issue an instruction to collect identification information for identifying a message recorded by a message recording operation in a signing in state corresponding to said user information; and a communicator configured to transmit a transmission request for requesting to transmit the identification information corresponding to the message recorded by the message recording operation in the signing in state corresponding to said user information in said other device in response to the instruction from said instructor, and receive the identification information transmitted from said other device in response to said transmission request.
 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein said communicator is configured to transmit said transmission request to said other device in response to the instruction from said instructor in the signing in state using said user information, and receive the identification information transmitted from said other device in response to said transmission request in the signing in state using said user information by said signing-in operation.
 3. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising an outputter configured to be capable of outputting list data including the identification information received by said communicator in response to said transmission request.
 4. The communication device according to claim 3, further comprising: a selector configured to be capable of selecting identification information from said list data output from said outputter; and a reproducer configured to reproduce a message corresponding to the identification information selected by said selector.
 5. The communication device according to claim 4, wherein said communicator is configured to receive the message transmitted together with the identification information from said other device in response to said transmission request, and said reproducer is configured to reproduce the message corresponding to the identification information selected by said selector among the messages received by said communicator.
 6. The communication device according to claim 4, wherein said communicator is configured to acquire the message corresponding to the identification information selected by said selector from said other device, and said reproducer is configured to reproduce the message acquired by said communicator.
 7. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a recorder that records the identification information received by said communicator in response to said transmission request.
 8. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein said communicator is configured to transmit, when said other device includes a plurality of communication terminals, said transmission request to said plurality of communication terminals and receive identification information transmitted from said plurality of communication terminals in response to said transmission request.
 9. A method for operating a communication device configured to be capable of signing in to a communication system including another device, said method comprising the steps of: transmitting a transmission request for requesting to transmit identification information corresponding to a message recorded by a message recording operation in a signing in state corresponding to user information that is uniquely given to a user in the other device in response to an instruction to collect identification information for identifying the message recorded by the message recording operation in the signing in state corresponding to said user information; and receiving the identification information transmitted from said other device in response to said transmission request.
 10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of performing a signing in operation using said user information by said communication device, wherein said step of transmitting includes transmitting said transmission request to said other device in response to the instruction to collect said identification information in the signing in state using said user information by said signing in operation; and said step of receiving includes receiving the identification information transmitted form said other device in response to said transmission request in the signing in state using said user information by said signing in operation.
 11. An operation program executable by a processor of a communication device configured to be capable of signing in to a communication system including another device, said program causing said processor to perform processing of: transmitting a transmission request for requesting to transmit identification information corresponding to a message recorded by a message recording operation in a signing in state corresponding to user information that is uniquely given to a user in the other device in response to an instruction to collect identification information for identifying the message recorded by the message recording operation in the signing in state corresponding to said user information; and receiving the identification information transmitted from said other device in response to said transmission request.
 12. The operation program according to claim 11, causing said processor to further perform processing of performing a signing in operation using said user information by said communication device, wherein said processing of transmitting includes processing of transmitting said transmission request to said other device in response to the instruction to collect said identification information in the signing in state using said user information by said signing in operation; and said processing of receiving includes processing of receiving the identification information transmitted form said other device in response to said transmission request in the signing in state using said user information by said signing in operation. 